After a brief pause for some international fixtures and friendlies, all of Europe's major leagues will be resuming action this weekend, including Serie A. Arguably, the Saturday evening fixture featuring Juventus and AC Milan is the biggest one of round thirteen but there are also plenty of other entertaining matches in store for calcio fans worldwide.
Bologna vs. Roma
It would be an understatement to say that Bologna have had a rough start to the 2015/2016 season. With eight losses already, they have earned just twelve points from the opening 12 rounds and sit just one point away from relegation-threatened Frosinone. However, since the departure of Delio Rossi in lieu of Roberto Donadoni, the Rossoblu have won two games on the trot and in fact, have won three out of their last five matches. More important, their two consecutive wins saw them keep clean sheets whilst scoring five - a vital aspect for any team that are fighting for their spot in the top flight.
However, as they seek their third straight win, they will be coming up against a team that also has won two in a row, but are fighting for the Scudetto as opposed to survival. The Giallorossi have won exactly the same amount of games Bologna have lost - eight - and will be coming into this game feeling pretty good after defeating city rivals Lazio 2-0 in the Derby della Capitale. Rudi Garcia's men also will know that should they win, they will sit on top of the league - albeit for one day - until current league leaders Fiorentina and second-placed Inter play on Sunday.
Donadoni will be the happier of the two tacticians when it comes to squad selection, as he will have pretty much a full-strength group at his disposal. His only major concern will be the condition of Mattia Destro, who has been struggling with an ankle injury but the ex-Roma man is expected to shake it off to face his former club tomorrow.
Garcia, on the other hand has quite a selection headache up front. Not only is captain Francesco Totti still out, but also Mohamed Salah and Gervinho have picked up injuries and will not be fit enough to feature. As such, fans could see Edin Dzeko, who has struggled to make an impact be tasked with leading the line in a match that - on paper at least - should be a straightforward three points for Roma.
Juventus vs. AC Milan
For the first time in several seasons, this game will not be contested between two teams at the top of the Serie A table. In fact, both have struggled, but Juve's has been the most surprising given their recent dominance that has seen them win four straight Scudetti. Nonetheless, this will still be the big game this weekend given the illustrious history of two of Italy's biggest clubs.
After their worst ever start in their history, the Bianconeri finally were able to string two wins back-to-back against Torino and Empoli prior to the international break. However, they still look a far cry from the side that cruised to domestic glory last season and they will be seeking to make it three for the first time all season.
It will also be an interesting reunion for coach Massimiliano Allegri - who was infamously sacked by Rossoneri president Silvio Berlusconi in January 2014 - and for skipper Gianluigi Buffon. For the iconic shot-stopper, not only has he now marked 20 years since making his debut but will be facing the very same side against which he featured as a 17 year old back in 1995. Fortunately, he looks set to feature despite picking up a muscular injury whilst on international duty. And the Azzurri skipper is not the only player who is not 100 per cent fit.
Stephan Lichtsteiner, after recovering from heart surgery also sustained an injury during the break, Martin Caceres is still out with a thigh injury, and Mario Mandzukic is struggling with a persistent ankle problem aggravated whilst featuring against Russia, but only Caceres will definitely miss out along with Ghanaian international Kwadwo Asamoah.
Meanwhile, after a rough beginning, Milan are now unbeaten since early October. Arguably, the biggest story has been the emergence of 16-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Despite his young age, his performances have been key to his team's mini-revival, including recording their first clean sheet when they defeated Chievo. In fact, ever since he replaced the more experienced Diego Lopez, Milan have yet to lose a match and he will be expected to be handed his fifth straight start.
The major absence for Milan is Mario Balotelli, who had to undergo surgery due to a groin injury and will not be fit to play until next year.
It indeed will be an interesting match-up between these two sides, but more so between the two goalkeepers. At 37, Buffon is more than double Donnarumma's age and is approaching the twilight of his glittering career, whilst his opposing number is just starting to make a name for himself.
Will Roma seize top spot with a win against Bologna? And who will come out on top in the battle between La Vecchia Signora and the Diavolo?
It's set to be an interesting Saturday for Serie A fans, so make sure you check out our Serie A page for broadcast times and options for Bologna vs. Roma and Juventus vs. AC Milan for your specific location.
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